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Imperiallines #6

MWM/T5's vision of NIL being extremely common is not something I inferred from any previous edition of Traveller.
Thjere's a canonical statement about the frequency of minor non-human races that work out at an average of roughly one per three subsectors.

Of course, that doesn't mean that one sector can't have way over the average.


Hans
 
Which implies that a sector could also have quite a dearth of them.

And Marc's statements about NIL also somehow fit with my discussions with him that the OTU is NOT the Star Wars cantina. :rofl:
 
Errata for #6

The population of Regina is said to be 46 million humans and 17 million Amindii. That makes for a population level of 7 and a population multiplier of 6. The correct values are pop level of 8 and a pop multiplier of 7. The total should be a bit over 700 million (it's 734 in 1120, so is probably some millions less in 1105). And IIRC 3% of the population are Aslans, so that's another 21 million to be accounted for. I also think there should be a few percent Vargr, but that could be fanon. If you want to preserve the ratio of humans to Amindii, 498 million humans, 178 million Amindii, 19 million Aslans, 21 million Vargr, and one million other non-humans, for a total of 717 million, might work. Just a suggestion.

There are a few errors with the map of Regina:

The desert on Noncredo covers one hex too much land. The northenmost hex is not desert.

Princeps and its spaceport is in the wrong hex.

Ishimir is spelled Ishmir.

EDIT:

The monorail from Credo to Caranda is missing.

I changed the suggested population figures to avoid round numbers.


Hans
 
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The population of Regina is said to be 46 million humans and 17 million Amindii. That makes for a population level of 7 and a population multiplier of 6. The correct values are pop level of 8 and a pop multiplier of 7.

Oh, crap.
 
Thjere's a canonical statement about the frequency of minor non-human races that work out at an average of roughly one per three subsectors.

Of course, that doesn't mean that one sector can't have way over the average.

I always assumed since the Ancients were responsible for a number of transplanted and uplifted races that the frequency varied with proximity to the Ancient's approximate homeworld location. Thus it would be significantly higher at the 'epicentre' and trail off the farther away you got.

It is sometimes hard to differentiate between a naturally occurring NIL and an Ancient transplant. But if you could then perhaps it is only naturally occurring NILs that are 1 per 3 subsectors.
 
I always assumed since the Ancients were responsible for a number of transplanted and uplifted races that the frequency varied with proximity to the Ancient's approximate homeworld location. Thus it would be significantly higher at the 'epicentre' and trail off the farther away you got.
That would depend on the distribution of the 420 Ancients and on their interests. Did they cluster around Eskaloyt or did they deliberately spread out? And within that distribution, one Ancient might be interested in transplanting and uplifting races while another had no interest at all.

It is sometimes hard to differentiate between a naturally occurring NIL and an Ancient transplant.
In most cases nothing could be easier. Just analyse the DNA of the race and compare it to the local biosphere. Only if entire biospheres are transplanted will there be room for doubt. (And even then the fact that it happened 300,000 years ago is a pretty big clue).

But if you could then perhaps it is only naturally occurring NILs that are 1 per 3 subsectors.
Oh, I've always assumed that. I've even made the non-human natives of Tionale an Ancient transplant [non-canon] to avoid Yet Another Native Non-human Race in The Marches.


Hans
 
The population of Regina is said to be 46 million humans and 17 million Amindii. That makes for a population level of 7 and a population multiplier of 6. The correct values are pop level of 8 and a pop multiplier of 7. The total should be a bit over 700 million (it's 734 in 1120, so is probably some millions less in 1105). And IIRC 3% of the population are Aslans, so that's another 21 million to be accounted for. I also think there should be a few percent Vargr, but that could be fanon. If you want to preserve the ratio of humans to Amindii, 500 million humans, 180 million Amindii, 20 million Aslans, 20 million Vargr, and a couple of million other non-humans, for a total of 722 million, might work. Just a suggestion.

There are a few errors with the map of Regina:

The desert on Noncredo covers one hex too much land. The northenmost hex is not desert.

Princeps and its spaceport is in the wrong hex.

Ishimir is spelled Ishmir.


Hans

Oh, crap.

It's a PDF product - come up with correct numbers, ask Marc to errata it, and repost it to DTRPG...
 
Yes, it's quite fixable.

Rather than 52 million humans, it should've been 527 million, and instead of 21 million amindii, it should've been 201 million.

Um... Robert, 527+201 is 728. The Aslans are down for 3% IIRC (or am I misremembering?) and it's rather unlikely that a world with Regina's astrographical position and history wouldn't have a sizable number of Vargr; I've assumed 3% Vargr1 . So even if you disallow the Vargr, we have around 750, 770 if you agree about the Vargr. And according to BtC, Regina has a population of 734 in 1120. Assuming it has a few million less in 1105, I suggest the figure 717 million total. (Check original post for details).

1 The Aslans were a surprise for me; how did they get that far corewards? But since they are canonical, I'm sure an explanation for their presence can be found -- even a relatively small group could grow to 20 million over several centuries.

Hans
 
Hey, I can play the canon card too. :devil:

Hans

Actually, Hans, there's no disagreement that you know canon very well. It makes you a valuable proof-reader. It could also make you a good author for Imperiallines.

And like you, most of us can't make or change canon (but our publisher can). The rest of us have to stick to it -- which is why you can call out the error in Port of Call. Altho' I'd rather you did it thru DriveThruRPG. In fact, if you can, please go and log the errata with them as soon as convenient for you.

But you have to understand what we want, and if we can't use something, we will say "no". If I think something has promise but needs to adjust its focus, I'll give a counter-proposal, a twist on the theme. Others might do the same.

That's why I want everyone to know that we primarily want articles that show how to use Traveller5, via examples and walk-thrus. Especially for the early issues.

Not necessarily just the complicated pieces, either: for instance, we have yet to see a walkthru using the map system in Traveller5, which I think is the bee's knees, and rules neutral to boot. So an example is not just a good teacher; it's also a ready-to-use game item.

Example characters can be good for pick-up games at a 'con. Example personal combat scenarios -- how about a squad of vargr in the cargo bay of a Beowulf with miniatures, for example -- practically could BE a pick-up game for a 'con. Okay these are just me expanding on my point -- I know that combat isn't ready for an Imperiallines article.
 
And like you, most of us can't make or change canon (but our publisher can). The rest of us have to stick to it -- which is why you can call out the error in Port of Call. Altho' I'd rather you did it thru DriveThruRPG. In fact, if you can, please go and log the errata with them as soon as convenient for you.
Will do.

But you have to understand what we want, and if we can't use something, we will say "no".
Yes, of course. What's not to understand?

If I think something has promise but needs to adjust its focus, I'll give a counter-proposal, a twist on the theme. Others might do the same.
And if I can't do it (or don't want to do it because I disagree with the twist), that's just too bad. Yes, I get that.


Hans
 
Greg Lee seems to be hinting that I need to become more of a hardcase to be a good editor. So forgive me while I try to grow a pair.


hardcase:

  • n.
    A tough, unsentimental person.
  • n.
    A person who is persistently insolent or difficult to control.
 
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Greg Lee seems to be hinting that I need to become more of an a$$ to be a good editor. So forgive me while I try to grow a pair.

I tend to agree with your assessment and agree that it might be of benefit. But I'd replace a** with "hardcase".

Marc desperately needs someone nearby who can say, "More text to explain the tables." And, unlike you, I'm not in driving range. And Loren and Frank are not there to do it anymore.
 
My first act is to remove the "forgive me" sentence. I don't need your(plural) forgiveness.
 
I tend to agree with your assessment and agree that it might be of benefit. But I'd replace a** with "hardcase".

Marc desperately needs someone nearby who can say, "More text to explain the tables." And, unlike you, I'm not in driving range. And Loren and Frank are not there to do it anymore.

Truth be known, it does get said. Frequently. Especially during errata calls. Like the next one, unless Rob gives me more errata :CoW:
 
Marc desperately needs someone nearby who can say, "More text to explain the tables." And, unlike you, I'm not in driving range. And Loren and Frank are not there to do it anymore.

That is probably my biggest problem with Traveller 5, too much material in areas that are not vital, and not enough in the areas that are vital.
 
That is probably my biggest problem with Traveller 5, too much material in areas that are not vital, and not enough in the areas that are vital.

Amen.

So the next step would be to list all the areas, and flag which ones are "vital".

(And once the list is agreed, create an update schedule. Or isn't that's what's being done??
 
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